Latest news with #DepartmentofJustice
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Congress to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell amid political firestorm over Jeffrey Epstein files
Congress will subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned sex trafficker who was a close associate of the notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, to testify amid a political firestorm over the Trump administration's decision not to release its remaining Epstein files. Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett introduced a motion to compel Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida prison for crimes related to the Epstein case, to testify before the House oversight committee. The move appears to skirt an announcement early on Tuesday that officials from the Department of Justice are also planning to meet with Maxwell. 'We got to send a message to these dirt bags,' Burchett said in a statement posted on X, referring to the list of clients and other Epstein enablers who are assumed to be included in the remaining Epstein files, the details of which are not publicly known. We've just got to get to the bottom of this thing, folks. It's four years and we don't need to tolerate this stuff any more. Soon after Burchett's announcement, Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, said he was shutting down operations in the chamber early, sending lawmakers home before a five-week summer recess. They were scheduled to leave Washington for their districts on 24 July and be out through the month of August, but will now leave a day earlier. The decision comes as Democrats and a handful of Republicans continue to press for files related to Epstein, sending regular legislative schedules into chaos. 'We're not going to play political games with this,' Johnson said at a news conference. Separately, a New York judge has ordered that the Trump administration must send more documents to support its call to release secret grand jury testimony from the 2021 Maxwell prosecution. T he Epstein issue has plagued the Trump administration. Picture: AP Photo/Alex Brandon Judge Paul Engelmayer said New York federal court would like to 'expeditiously' resolve the Trump administration's request, but that it could not do so due to a number of missing submissions, including 'why disclosure is being sought in the particular case' and 'what specific information is being sought for disclosure', he wrote. Engelmayer said the government must file a memorandum of law no later than 29 July and ordered Maxwell and the victims to file their positions on the proposed disclosure by 5 August. The Epstein issue has plagued the Trump administration as the president's own supporters buck him and clamor for more information, and as details continue to emerge about Trump's personal connections with Epstein, who was a friend of his for many years until they fell out. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had sent Epstein a lewd drawing along with a suggestive dialogue between the two men. The Trump administration responded by suing the newspaper and its owner, Rupert Murdoch. Epstein issues splits Capitol Hill The issue has also riven Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, the Republican-led House of Representatives, led by Trump ally Johnson – who recently undermined the president by calling for the release of all files, only to back down several days later – voted to start its summer holiday early in order to avoid Epstein-related votes planned for Thursday. Burchett said he had introduced the motion directing James Comer, chair of the committee, to authorize and issue a subpoena for Maxwell. Comer was 'down with it', Burchett said. 'I believe he's going to issue the subpoena. He's a stand-up guy.' He also acknowledged that he would receive 'blowback, and folks up here are going to be mad at me, but ultimately and with all sincerity, I'm gonna answer my creator on this issue'. Burchett told Axios that he did not consult Trump before calling on the committee to subpoena Maxwell. He has previously written to Comer urging him to bring Maxwell in to testify. 'She's the last one standing,' he told the publication. 'There's nobody else alive that can tell us anything.' He also said he believes Maxwell could 'tell us the operation, how it went down, who were the supporters of it … Ultimately I'd like to see justice.' Justice department sending US deputy attorney general to meet Maxwell The announcement came hours after the justice department said it was planning to send Todd Blanche, the US deputy attorney general, to Florida to meet with Maxwell. Lawyers for Maxwell said on Tuesday evening in a court filing that they had spoken to Blanche, Reuters reported. Last week, Trump directed the attorney general, Pam Bondi, to ask a court to release all relevant grand jury testimony in Epstein's case. Maxwell attorney David Oscar Markus confirmed on X 'that we are in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully'. On Tuesday morning, Blanche also released a statement, posted by Bondi, saying that he plans to meet with Maxwell 'in the coming days'. Blanche's statement also defended the department's early July release, saying it was 'as accurate today as it was when it was written'. - The Guardian Read More Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over reporting on Epstein ties
Axios
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
Judges in Epstein, Maxwell grand jury records cases want more details from DOJ
Two federal judges on Tuesday gave the Department of Justice until next week to provide more details in its request to unseal grand jury transcripts from the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The big picture: "The court intends to resolve this motion expeditiously," the two Manhattan judges wrote in similar court orders. "However, the Court cannot rule on the motion without additional submissions from the government." The orders came the same day as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Tuesday that he's seeking a meeting with Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence in Florida after being found guilty of sex trafficking and other charges in 2021. The Trump administration has faced pressure from even typically loyal MAGA circles to act after the DOJ and FBI concluded there's no evidence that Epstein kept a "client list" and that the convicted sex offender and disgraced financier was not murdered. Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, who was overseeing Epstein's case before he was found dead in his cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex-trafficking minors, requested that the DOJ provide a more detailed memorandum by July 29 on making the case for unsealing grand jury transcripts related to the case. Obama-appointed U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, who's overseeing Maxwell's case, requested the same and on the same date. Victims and representatives for Epstein and Maxwell in the cases have until Aug. 5 to file submissions, according to the orders. What they're saying: "According to the government, Epstein harmed over one thousand victims," noted the Clinton-appointed Berman. "Each suffered unique trauma. Sensitive information relating to these victims is intertwined throughout the materials." Context: Grand jury transcripts are typically kept secret under federal criminal procedure rules, but federal judges can release them under special circumstances.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Areas with most fines for footpath parking in Dublin revealed
According to the Department of Justice, the Northern division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), which includes Finglas and Ballymun, recorded the most fines in the capital, with 243 fixed penalty notices issued. The figures were released in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, and shows the number of fines across the six garda divisions in Dublin from January to June this year. The second highest number of fines (182) was recorded in the North Central division, which covers Drumcondra and Glasnevin, followed by South Central (168), which takes in Rathmines and Harold's Cross. The Western division, covering Tallaght and surrounding suburbs, recorded 147 fines, while the Southern division, which encompasses Dundrum and Rathfarnham, recorded 95. Notably, the Eastern division, which covers the city centre and docklands, had significantly fewer fines, with just 67 issued. This suggests that illegal footpath parking is more widespread outside of the city core itself. Parking on footpaths blocks pedestrians, including vulnerable groups such as wheelchair users and parents with prams, and disrupts bus routes and emergency services. Cyclists also face increased danger when cycle lanes are blocked, forcing them into traffic. The issue recently gained fresh attention after community group I Bike Dublin painted fake parking spaces on footpaths along Phibsboro Road. The group used non-permanent materials to highlight the extent of illegal parking, criticising the lack of consistent enforcement and calling for the return of parking wardens across the city. ADVERTISEMENT A spokesperson for the group said such illegal parking is a 'continuous daily occurrence' in the area, and the lack of enforcement shows a 'clear neglect of public space management'. 'Illegal parking isn't just an inconvenience; it's a misuse of public space that affects everyone, from pedestrians to buses,' they said. 'It's not just about a single-file walk or a blocked driveway; it's about creating a traffic choke point that impacts the entire community. 'The real issue isn't just a car parked in the wrong place, it's the systemic failure to enforce rules and address the problem effectively. 'What gets attention isn't the ongoing problem, but the visible action taken to highlight the issue, such as paint on the ground. 'It's not about punishing drivers; it's about maintaining the integrity of public spaces and ensuring everyone can use them safely. 'The problem with illegal parking isn't just that it's illegal; it's that it disrupts the flow of daily life and services, from pedestrians to buses,' they added. An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have reminded drivers that parking on footpaths and cycle lanes is both illegal and unsafe. Offenders can face fines ranging from €60 to €120, with serious violations attracting up to five penalty points. The highest number of fines recorded across the country so far this year, was in Limerick, where 354 fixed penalty notices were issued. Dublin City Council, The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have been contacted for comment.
Gulf Insider
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
US Clears Doctor Over Fake COVID Vaccination Cards
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has dropped all charges against a Utah physician who was accused of issuing fake vaccination cards and destroying thousands of vials of mRNA vaccine. 58-year-old plastic surgeon Dr. Kirk Moore was facing up to 35 years in prison after being charged with conspiracy to defraud the government; conspiracy to convert, sell, convey and dispose of government property; and aiding and abetting in those efforts by the Biden administration's Department of Justice (DOJ). Moore was accused of throwing away $28,000 worth of government-provided COVID-19 vaccine and providing at least 1937 fraudulently completed vaccine cards in return for cash or a donation to a specified charitable organization. The physician was also accused of injecting children with saline solution, at their parents' request, rather than with the vaccine. Moore's attorneys had argued that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regulations that were in place were unconstitutional and Bondi, in a post on X, said, ' Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today. ' 🚨 JUST IN: Attorney General Pam Bondi just dropped all charges against Dr. Kirk Moore, a Utah physician, was accused of destroying thousands of mRNA vials and issuing fake vax cards.'Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government REFUSED TO DO… — Hank™ (@HANKonX) July 12, 2025 Moore was described as a 'threat to public safety' by the DOJ when he and 3 other co-defendants were indicted by the DOJ in 2023. The plastic surgeon and another co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges while one co-defendant entered into a plea agreement for a misdemeanor charge and another co-defendant entered into a diversion agreement. According to CBS News, the DOJ did not respond to questions as to whether the charges for the co-defendants would be dropped as well. Following the dismissal of the charges, an emotional Moore described why he took the actions he did to help those who wished to avoid the shot that was being pushed on them against their will, describing it as 'doing what's right.' BREAKING: Heroic freedom physician Dr. Kirk Moore was being prosecuted because he helped patients avoid unwanted Covid jabs…and his case was just dropped!HUGE WIN 🇺🇸H/T @EithanHaim — John Strand (@JohnStrandUSA) July 12, 2025 Moore's case had been publicized by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) who last week urged Attorney General Bondi to drop the charges against the doctor. In a post on X, Greene described Moore as a, 'hero who refused to inject his patients with a government mandated unsafe vaccine!' Also read: CDC: COVID-19 Infections Rise In Some Parts Of US
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Ex-Biden official says former prez should've ‘bowed out' after ‘Afghanistan debacle'
Former Department of Justice spokesman Anthony Coley argued during a panel on Monday that Biden should have dropped out of the 2024 race after the Afghanistan withdrawal, long before his infamous debate. Monday was the one-year anniversary of then-President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential election, relinquishing the nomination to then-Vice President Kamala Harris. His son, Hunter Biden, also made headlines recently by offering views ranging from blasting Democratic Party elites to suggesting his father was on Ambien during the debate. 'I know exactly what happened in that debate,' Hunter said on the 'Channel 5' podcast this past weekend. 'He flew around the world, basically, the mileage that he could have flown around the world, three times. 'He's 81 years old. He's tired as s—. They give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on the stage. And he looks like he's a deer in the headlights. And it feeds into every f—ing story that anybody wants to tell.' An NBC news panel discussed both the interview and the Democratic Party's efforts to analyze what went wrong in the election. 4 U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Afghanistan during a speech in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., August 31, 2021. REUTERS 'A lot of things can be true here,' Coley, who is now an NBC News contributor, said. 'So he was 81 years old, and he did take two trips back and forth from Europe. I give him that. That's not why he lost the race, though.' 'You can have the best message in the world, you can have the best policy agenda in the world, but at the end of the day, if you don't have a trusted messenger, somebody that voters think can go the distance, somebody who has stamina, then you're gonna lose,' he continued. 'And that's what happened on the presidential level in 2024.' 4 Flag-draped transfer cases of U.S. military service members who were killed by an August 26 suicide bombing at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport line the inside of a C-17 Globemaster II prior to a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, U.S., August 29, 2021. VIA REUTERS 4 Coley argued that Biden could not recover after the 'Afghanistan debacle.' NBC 4 Former U.S. President Joe Biden at the presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., June 27, 2024. REUTERS He then argued that Biden's fate was sealed long before, and should have taken the hint to leave the race. 'I think what Hunter Biden didn't say is that people started losing confidence in Joe Biden – whom I love, who I worked for in his administration – right after the Afghanistan debacle,' he said. 'Do you remember that? It was August of 2022, like his polling never recovered after Afghanistan.' While the midterms that year gave Biden's team a degree of confidence, he said, the Afghanistan debacle was nonetheless 'the moment he really should have bowed out, and we should have had a robust primary process.'
